Geoheritage Resource of Small Mud Lakes in the Semi-Arid Environments of the Russian South

Abstract

Lakes constitute a significant freshwater resource and are often regarded as being an important part of a country’s natural heritage. However, their geological heritage (geoheritage) value remains significantly understudied. Three small lakes, namely the Salt Lake, the Gruzskoe Lake and the Big Yashalta Lake, located in the central part of the Russian South were studied in this paper. The main focus of this research was to search for relevant unique geological features. This paper established that these lakes are distinguishable from other lakes by the presence of dark-colored mud that is rich in sulfides and methane. As a result of excessive summer evaporation, the lakes desiccate (partly or even fully) and this results in exposure of the mud as well as the formation of salt crystals and crusts. This bottom mud (peloid, therapeutic mud) forms as a result of highly-complex biogeochemical processes in semi-arid environments. This mud is interpreted as being part of the lake’s geoheritage as it belongs to sedimentary, geochemical and other types. Moreover, this geoheritage has a high ranking nationally. The most representative example can be found at the Big Yashalta Lake and for that reason, this lake is proposed as a geosite. Established sites of geoheritage importance are vital to geoscience research and geotourism activities and thus, these sites are considered to be a resource. Together with the development of local ecotourism and the use of peloids for the health industry purposes, the exploitation of this geoheritage resource would contribute to the sustainable development of the local area.

Coastal Peloids as Geological Heritage: Evidence from the Taman Peninsula (Southwestern Russia)

“…All samples were transported and analyzed in a laboratory in the standard way at the Hydrochemical Institute (Rostov-on-Don) in order to document four principal geochemical proxies of peloids, namely Eh, pH, methane content in wet mass (natural state), and total hydrogen sulfide content in wet mass (natural state). The analytical procedure is the same as in the works of Fedorov and Ruban [12] and Fedorov et al [14,16]. Particularly, theEkotest 2000 ionometer was used for Eh and pH measurements, and the total hydrogen sulfide content was established bya photometric approach with dimethylparaphenylendiamine.…”

“…The conceptual framework of the modern geoheritage studies and the principles/methods of its description are given in the works of Brilha [17], Brocx and Semeniuk [18], Coratza et al [19], Gordon [20], Gray [21], Habibi et al [22], Henriques and Brilha [23], Henriques et al [24], Ibáñez et al [25], Mikhailenko and Ruban [26,27], Prosser [28], Prosser et al [29], Reynard and Brilha [30], Reynard et al [31], Ruban [32], and Wimbledon [33]. The approaches employed earlier for the purposes of peloid-related geoheritage characteristics [12,34] have to be noted.…”

“…However, coastal peloids have been studied rarely, e.g., a few examples have been reported from the Azov Sea [10] and the Adriatic Sea [11]. In the Russian South (a vast territory between the Don River in the north, the Azov Sea in the west, the Caspian Sea in the east, and the Caucasus Mountains in the south), peloids have been described from various geological settings, chiefly continental [7,12,13], but the knowledge of their coastal typeremains restricted [14,15]. The geoheritage importance of this peloidtype has been never analyzed.…”

Characterization of the Tourist Demand of the Villuercas–Ibores–Jara Geopark: A Destination with the Capacity to Attract Tourists and Visitors

“…As can be observed in the analysis of the flow of visitors (Table 9), Guadalupe appears as the settlement where more overnight stays are recorded as 23.6% of those visiting the geopark pass at least one night there. The important role played by this town is due to its large number of beds and its tradition as a center for pilgrims [24] in combination with its important cultural heritage. It is also significant that 6.8% of the visitors stay in Cañamero within the geopark, although this town cannot compete with the rich tourism potential of Guadalupe.…”

“…However, the notion of geosites as appropriate resources for the development of the tourism industry [20] from a comprehensive viewpoint [21,22]. This studies cover a wide range of fields, ranging from a geographic standpoint to both geological and geomorphological ones [23,24], although they share a common goal, the search for rural development [25], sustainability [26] and, naturally, geoconservation [27].…”